Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan made the statement on October 30 at his meeting with Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet during his official visit to the country.

At the reception, President Triet stressed the positive development in the two countries’ relationship despite many global changes and expressed his hope that it will continue to improve.

The President thanked Japan for its great support, pledging that Vietnam will make the most effective use of Japan’s official development assistance (ODA).

Prime Minister Kan congratulated Vietnam for its successful organisation of the 17^th ASEAN Summit.

He confirmed that Japan will maintain its ODA for Vietnam to help upgrade its infrastructure and technologies. Japan is interested in the implementation of railroad, high-speed railway, urban railway and water sewage projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

On the occasion, President Triet asked the Prime Minister to send his invitation to the Japanese Emperor and Queen to pay an official visit to Vietnam and confirmed that he will attend the APEC Summit in Japan in November.